In a very real way, these collections of human beings gathered on the sidewalks are a grassroots level hospital ward where the patients are also the medical service providers. Some patients inject themselves. Others can't and so the medication nurse - another patient - provides the injection. If someone starts to seriously overdose to the point of needing Narcan, the rapid response team - other patients - steps in to provide the life-saving drug and all standard life-saving procedures.
This blog is my public diary of experiences that I've had as I become increasingly involved in the area of Kensington, Pa. I am including experiences that I am having as I sit down, one on one, with homeless people who are dealing with Substance Use Disorder. All Names have been changed and, occasionally, I share a story using the opposite pronoun (he/she him/her), as an additional way to assure privacy.
Please Know...
As I come to know these fine people, they share with me more of their personal and sensitive stories. Their collective story is what I am trying to share with you as my way of breaking the stereotypical beliefs that exist. "Blog names" have occasionally been given to me by the person whose story I am telling. Names are never their actual names and wherever I can do so, I might use the opposite pronoun (his/her, etc.) just to help increase their privacy.
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Pages
- Administrative Discharge From a Medical Facility Led to My Loved One's Death
- Most Recent Blog
- 2000 Substance Use Disorder Patients 30 Minutes Away
- It is time to "Plow Down Medicaid Mountain!"
- Song Sheets
- Survey Questions
- The opposite of addiction is connection.
- Hippocratic Oath
- Ministry Funding Options
- TV Interview
- The Damage Done
- Amazon Wish List
- Hand Made Jewelry
Monday, May 27, 2019
It's Time to Plow Down Medicaid Mountain!
In a very real way, these collections of human beings gathered on the sidewalks are a grassroots level hospital ward where the patients are also the medical service providers. Some patients inject themselves. Others can't and so the medication nurse - another patient - provides the injection. If someone starts to seriously overdose to the point of needing Narcan, the rapid response team - other patients - steps in to provide the life-saving drug and all standard life-saving procedures.
Friday, May 24, 2019
Pray for Melanie...
Last summer, as I visited Melanie in jail, she promised me that she would never go back to using heroin. She has maintained that promise and has told me so each time I've seen her since then. She has continued to live on the streets for her own reasons that go beyond the point of this blog.
Melaine has done fairly well until about 10 days ago when, again, for reasons of her own, heroin reentered her pattern of life and her bloodstream. She has overdosed twice in these ten days and been saved by Narcan twice, once by a resident of the streets and once by a Philadelphia police officer who knows and cares very much for her.
On Wednesday, I found Melanie shortly after this second near death moment. She asked if she could rest in my car. She slept for the next couple of hours while I made my rounds visiting people with bananas, water, and song sheets. I informed each outreach worker who I saw on the streets of Melanie's situation and each one had a different solution based on their experiences and the group they represented.
In the end, Melanie, with the help of the good people of Prevention Point, got out of my car and was considering going in there for help.
As we hugged each other, I held her extra tight as I was keenly aware that I might never see Melanie alive again. Her walking path of life is far too thin these days AND it is on the side of a cliff on what I'm calling "Medicaid Mountain."
Pray for Melanie...
Monday, May 13, 2019
Out of My Love for Diane, Guide Me God.
Sunday, May 12, 2019
TODAY's Touch of the Master's Hand!
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
'What am I bidden,
'Who'll start the bidding for me?'
'A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?'
'Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice; Going for three…'
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: 'What am I bid for the old violin?'
And he held it up with the bow.
'A thousand dollars,
Two thousand!
Three thousand, once;
And going and gone,' said he.
'We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?'
'The touch of the Master's hand.'
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap
Much like the old violin.
A 'mess of pottage,' a glass of wine,
A game — and he travels on.
He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,
He's 'going' and almost 'gone.'
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul
By the touch of the Master's hand.
As I held her, I simply said: "Please know how much Jesus loves you."
PS: Please know you are a magnificent human being made in the image of GOD and you are Worthy of the Highest Dignity, Honor, Respect and Love.